The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing over 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system’s 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City.

Within DEP, the Bureau of Sustainability (BOS) is an interdisciplinary policy, planning, environmental review and environmental enforcement group composed of a bureaus and an office: the Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis (BEPA) and the Office of Superfund and Hazardous Materials Analysis. BOS engages in cutting-edge applied research that integrates hydrologic, water quality, and living resource modeling, artificial intelligence, advanced computer analysis, field studies and policy, planning, and econometric studies to support and inform DEP’s mission and to ensure that DEP’s investments, policies and enforcement activities balance and maximize environmental, social, and economic benefits for the City of New York and our stakeholders. BOS, though BEPA, also oversees the largest green infrastructure program in the country, is the planning and contracting hub for the city’s cloudburst investments, and the permit holder for the City’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit.

To support the above mission, BOS is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor with broad multi-disciplinary science, policy, modeling and data analysis, and/or environmental management experience to serve as a Senior Policy and Science Advisor to the BOS Deputy Commissioner (DC). To help forward the BOS strategic and operational mission, the successful candidate will be expected to provide high level policy, scientific and technical input and recommendations to the DC on a broad range of current and emerging issues pertaining to BOS and DEP strategic and operational programs and initiatives. The candidate will also be expected to help support or act as technical and policy lead on special assignments to provide input and oversight on complex environmental, water resource projects, water quality projects, scientific investigations, research and studies being undertaken by BOS, including through grant funded projects. The position will require the candidate to work closely and collaboratively with BOS, Legal, engineering and other senior agency management to coordinate and develop detailed technical analyses, correspondence and official recommendations on proposed new or amended federal, state, and local environmental rules, regulations, legislation and emerging regulatory issues. The position may coordinate and support BOS interaction with water sector trade groups such as the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA), the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and other water sector organizations on science and policy. This position will be challenging, demanding, and varied; it will also offer fantastic opportunities for skill set and career development.

1. For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

NOTE:
Probationary Period
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

The ideal candidate will have at least seven years of broad public and/or private sector environmental policy, science, data analysis and project management experience. This candidate’s experience should be multidisciplinary and science-based in a combination of areas such as (but not limited to): policy development, environmental research projects, modeling and monitoring. The candidate will have a demonstrated working knowledge of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and other major state, federal, and City environmental regulations, experience with climate and environmental justice (EJ) regulations and efforts is a plus. The candidate will also have demonstrated experience reviewing and commenting on regulations and legislation. The ideal candidate has demonstrated prior experience in water-related modeling concepts, and the successful application of models to address current and future agency management concerns. Experience with population and demographic analysis, demand forecasting and dry weather flows is a plus. Experience applying for and managing large multi-million dollar grants is also preferred. Prior experience in using a variety of computer models and programs (e.g., ICM, SWEM, GIS, R, SAS, Matlab and Python) is also a plus.

The candidate must have a demonstrated capability to communicate effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences about complex policy and technical subjects. Experience representing organizations in public formats and working groups is a plus. In addition, the candidate will need to be organized, efficient, detail oriented, and able to work with others. Where relevant, the ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with agency partners and other impacted or contributing stakeholders is essential. Excellent analytical skills and communication skills, both oral and writing, are required.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

“NOTE: “This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.”

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New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.